Device for applying caps to bottles.



No. 679,0!2. v Patented July 23, 190:. A. BAUMGARTEN.

DEVICE FOR APPLYI NG GAPS T0 BOTTLES.

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" UNITED STATES Y ATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT BAUMGARTEN, OF FREEPORT, ILLINOIS.

DEVICE FOR APPLYING CAPS TO BOTTLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 679,012, dates". July 23, 1901. Application filed November 23, 1900. Serial No. 37,461. (No modelJ To all whom it may concern.-

. :exact description.

. The invention designs to provide a handtool of simple, light-,and inexpensive construction which can be conveniently and quickly operated to secure caps (usually made of foil) to bottles.

The invention further designs to provide a simple hand-tool which can be readily placed and positioned over the upper portion of a bottle in vertical position and then conveniently operated to secure the cap to the bottle.

The invention consists primarily in providingabottle-capper which comprises a pair of jaws, each of which is provided with a bandle and which are adapted to be shifted toward each other to press the cap into close contact with the bottle and forming these jaws so they are adapted to be placed over a bottle and cap and providing a part which will rest on the top of a bottle in vertical position to position the capper in readiness for the closing of thejaws. Such a construction provides asimple capper which can be quickly and conveniently positioned over the top of a bottle in verticalposition and then quickly and conveniently operated. The invention provides a simple capper which can be used to apply caps while the bottles are in vertical position and without the necessity of grasping a bot tle and placing and holding it between the jaws of a capping device and which when placed over a bottle will rest in proper position to be operated.

The invention further consists in the several novel features of construction hereinafter described, illustrated in the drawings, and more particularly defined by the claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective of a bottle-capper embodying the preferred form of the invention. Fig. 2 is a view in cen tral horizontal section, a portion of the handles being broken away. Fig. 3 is a view in vertical section on line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a View in front elevation of the jaws, these being swunginto position to show the interior of both jaws and the elastic bushing being removed.

A and B denote the bodies of two jaws pivotally connected at their inner ends to permit the jaws to be opened and closed, and these jaws are each provided with an operating handle or lever, preferably formed integral therewith, as shown at A and B. Jaw A is provided at its inner end with ears or lugs a, between which fit ears or lugs 19, projecting from the jaw B, and a pivot pin or bolt 0 extends through perforations in the lugs a and 17. Such construction serves to pivotally connect the jaws A and B at their inner ends, so the jaws will swing laterally when the handles are operated. .The lugs a and]? are preferably formed integral with the jaws A and B, re spectively. The body of each of the jaws is preferably of semicylindric shape,and the jaw A is provided with integral inwardly-pro j ecting ribs or lugs a A pocket A is formed between the side of jawAand ribs (1 wherein a section D of an elastic bushing is securely held. Jaw B is provided with inwardly-projecting integral ribs 1), and in the pocket B formed between the side of jaw B and ribs 1), section D of the elastic bushing is securely held. These sections of the bushing are formed with V-shaped ribs fittinginto correspondinglyshaped grooves in bushing-sections. When in closed position the'jaws A and B and the bushing-sections completely encircle the bottle neck and cap and serve to press all portions of the cap firmly against and around the bottle-neck. The handles are arranged to abut against each other when in closed position, as shown at a to prevent excessive pressure against the bottle. The upper end of the inwardlyprojecting ribs a of the jaw A is extended to form a rest a, designed to engage the top of the bottle or cap and form a rest or stop,which holds the capper in proper position with rethe opposite edges of the spect to the bottle-neck. Such rest or stop entirely avoided. The bottles to which caps are to be applied are placed upon a table or shelf, and by placing the cappersuccessively over each bottle the .caps can be quickly and conveniently applied.

' The operation is as follows: The cap to be applied, which is usually of cup shape and has an annular portion to inclose the side of the bottle-neck and a top to fit over the cork, is placed loosely over a bottle in vertical position; The operator then places the tool, with the jaws A and B in slightly-spread position, over the bottle-neck and so the upper portion of the bottle-neck is within the elastic bushing and so stop a will rest upon the top of the cap or bottle. The handles A and B will then be forced toward each other, which shift will cause the jaws A and B to compress the elastic bushing-sections and cause the bushing to firmly press all portions of the cap into close contact with and to fit snugly around the bottle. When the capper is placed over the bottle, the stop a will force the cap down wardly against the top of the bottle and prov vent the cap from bulging upwardly while the jaws are beingoperated. Thus it will be seen that the invention provides a simple hand-tool which can be readily and quickly placed over a bottlein vertical position and when thus placed will always be in proper position to apply the cap. The invention possesses several advantages. It provides a simple hand-tool which can be quickly operated. The necessity of holding a bottle is dispensed with, thus making it possible to apply caps to bottles resting on a table or shelf, and, moreover, the capper need not be secured to a support.

I am aware that elastic bushings have been heretofore used for capping devices and do not wish to be understood as claiming such broadly. So far as I am aware the invention is the first to provide a simple capper which when placed over the top of a bottle in vertical position will rest upon the top of the bottle and be in a proper vertical position in readiness for operation. The invention therefore is not to be understood as restricted to the details of construction shown and dethe top of a bottle or cap, and an operating a lever or handle rigidly'secured on each of said aws.

2. A hand-tool for applying caps to bottles, comprising the combination of a pair of jaws pivotally secured together at one end to swing laterally, each of said jaws being formed of sides and provided with inward projections at the top and bottom thereof, an elastic bushing formed ofsections extending and held between said projections, and formed to fit around a bottle, a stop formed on one of said jaws and arranged to rest upon the top'of a bottle or cap, and an operating lever or handle rigidly secured on each of said jaws.

3. A hand-tool for applying caps to bottles, comprising the combination of a pair of jaws, each of which is provided with pivot-lugs at one end whereby the jaws are secured to swing laterally, said jaws having sides and integrally-formed inwardly-projecting ribs, an elastic bushing formed to fit around a bottle, a stop formed on one of said jaws and arranged to rest upon the top of a bottle or cap when in vertical position and serving to po sition the tool vertically and an operating lever or handle on each of said jaws and integrally formed therewith.

ALBERT BAUMGARTEN.

W'itnesses:

FRED GERLACH, TORRIS H. ALFORDS. 

